Not Just Udon, a Summer Trip to Kagawa. "Sanuki Pilgrimage" to Visit 20 Temples and Collect Sticker Charms is Now Underway

There are 20 types of characters related to the temples with charm stickers!

Starting April 20, 2026, the Shikoku Henro Association Sanuki Branch (located within Zentsuji Temple, 1065-1 Zentsuji-cho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture) is holding the "Sanuki Pilgrimage" event, where participants can visit 20 temples in Kagawa Prefecture to collect "pilgrimage character sticker charms."

The "Sanuki Pilgrimage" is a new temple-visiting experience where participants collect sticker charms featuring Buddhist deities and other figures associated with each temple. By scanning these stickers with the dedicated app "Henro no Akari + Plus," they can be displayed and evolved as digital charms on a smartphone. The event is also promoted in flyers as a project to collect all 20 types of pilgrimage character sticker charms at 20 temples in Kagawa Prefecture and evolve them into digital charms on a smartphone.

Through this project, we aim to create opportunities for families to visit temples together and for children to become familiar with temples and pilgrimage culture. It can also be enjoyed by adults who like collecting souvenirs from temple visits and trips as a new way to enjoy a trip to Kagawa.

Service Objectives and Background

The Shikoku Pilgrimage and temple visits have a long history and culture. However, for children and first-time visitors, it can feel like "the etiquette seems difficult" or "I don't know where to start."

The "Sanuki Pilgrimage" was planned with the aim of sparking children's interest in temples and pilgrimage culture by using sticker charms depicting characters associated with each temple as an entry point.

The sticker charms feature pilgrimage characters based on Buddhist deities and other figures associated with the 20 temples in Kagawa Prefecture. As visitors collect stickers, they can discuss with their children, "What does this character represent?" and "What history or stories does this temple have?"

Service Details

Participants can receive a limited-edition "pilgrimage character sticker charm" from each temple by offering a donation of 500 yen at the temple's Nokyo-sho (temple office).

By scanning the QR code on the back of the sticker with the dedicated app "Henro no Akari + Plus," the character will appear on the smartphone as a digital charm.

Evolution: By purchasing and scanning the same pilgrimage character sticker charm multiple times, the smartphone charm's background will evolve from white to green, red, silver, gold, and finally to brocade, similar to offering slips. If you're lucky, a sparkling digital charm may appear.

Completing all 20 types of digital charms will reveal a "secret digital charm" within the app.

How to enjoy: 1. Visit the temple 2. Receive the sticker charm at the Nokyo-sho 3. Scan the QR code 4. Aim to collect all types This is the simple process.

[Instagram Video] "Sanuki Pilgrimage Complete Strategy Guide"

Service Fees

The "pilgrimage character sticker charm" costs 500 yen each.

The dedicated app "Henro no Akari + Plus" can be downloaded for free.

Future Developments

For children, it's an experience to learn about temples while collecting stickers. For adults, it's a trip around Kagawa while collecting souvenirs of their visits. And for families, it's an outing that sparks conversations between parents and children or across three generations about "Which temple should we go to next?"

It is also recommended as a new destination for a Kagawa trip that families can enjoy during the summer vacation period.

Comments from Person in Charge

Yosuke Sogou, Director, Shikoku Henro Association

Initially, the project was planned as an entry point for children to become interested in temples while having fun, but it is now very popular with people in their 40s and 50s who enjoy collecting souvenirs from temple visits and trips.

I hope that when you come to Kagawa this summer, you will visit with your children! I think it will be fun just to ride the cable car, make wishes at the temple, climb the stone steps, and visit the temple's power spots!